DISEASES OF PLANTS. 549 



while leaves coated only with the lime became somewhat darker iu color but 

 not so deep as is assumetl under a coating of Bordeaux mixture. 



There was no correlation found between the character of storms and the rate 

 of solubility or the copper found in solution in water collected from sprayed 

 trees. 



Plant diseases; potato spraying, L. K. Jones and N. J. Giddings (Ycrmont 

 f>ta. Bui. ]Jf2, pp. 103-115, figs. ff). — ^An account is given of plant diseases ob- 

 served In 1908. and also of the potato spraying experiments, which are in con- 

 tinuation of those previously reported (E. S. R., 20, p. 346). 



The season was exceptionally dry and fungus diseases were not very prevalent. 

 Insect in.iuries and physiological disturbances were more pronounced than 

 diseases of fungus origin. Among the latter, notes are given on the early and 

 late blight of the potato, potato leaf blotch, scab, and blackleg, together with 

 brief notes on a number of orchard and garden crop diseases. 



In continuation of the potato spraying experiments, plats were sprayed with 

 Bordeaux mixture, comparisons being made with lime sulphur mixture. The 

 lime sulphur plats gave a 37 per cent larger yield than did the unsprayed plats, 

 while 2 applications of Bordeaux mixture resulted in a 67 per cent, and 4 appli- 

 cations in a 141 per cent, increase over the unsprayed plats. This season's 

 work concludes 18 years' investigations on the value of Bordeaux mixture for 

 the control of the diseases of potatoes. During that period the lowest gain has 

 been 26 per cent and the highest 215 per cent, with an average of 92 per cent 

 due to the application of the fungicide. 



Notes on combating the smuts of cereals, O. Appel {llitt. Deut. Landw. 

 Gesell, 2Jf {1909), No. 16, pp. 256-258, figs. 9).— A description is given of the 

 various smuts that attack cereals, with suggestions for their control. For the 

 prevention of the loose smut of wheat and barley the author suggests the 

 modified hot water ti'eatment, which consists of a preliminary soaking for 

 several hours in water at ordinary temperature, followed by short immersion in 

 hot water, while for the other forms of smut soaking the seed in copper sulphate 

 solutidli or in formaldehyde is to be preferred. 



A new species of Tilletia, F. Bubak (Ztschr. Landtv. Versuclisw. Osterr., 

 12 (1909), No. 6, pp. 545-5-i9, fig. 1). — A description is given of Tilletia pancicii, 

 a new species recently discovered in the fruiting heads of barley in western 

 Servia. Comparisons are drawn between this species and the other known 

 species of that genus. 



A note on Urophlyctis alfalfae in California, Elizabeth H. Smith (Science, 

 n. so:, 30 (1909), No. 763, pp. 211, 212). — The presence is noted in California 

 of the crown gall of alfalfa, w^iich occurs in Europe, but which so far as known 

 lias not been previously noted in this country. The galls are said to be 

 numerous on the crown of the affected plant, and frequently occur an inch or 

 two up on the stem. Although the galls are usually small, they may be 3 or 4 

 in. in diameter. The interior of the gall is composed of small, irregular cavities 

 of hypertrophied tissue, the chambers being filled with masses of brown resting 

 spores. A more detailed account of the disease as it occurs iu California is to 

 be published shortly. 



Preliminary report on the anthracnose or pod spot disease of beans, C. W. 

 Edgerton (Louisiana Stas. Bui. 116, pp. 3-11. figs. 3). — A brief description is 

 given of the anthracnose or pod spot of beans due to Colletotrichum 

 lindemuthianum, and the author offers suggestions for its control. 



It is 'recommended that gai'deners should grow seed for i)lanting, the selec- 

 tions being made by examining the pods and I'ejecting all that show any traces 

 of pod spot. In addition it is recommended that care be exercised in cultivating 

 beans and in gathering them so that the plants be not disturbed when in a moist 



